IRON AGE TWISTED TORC WITH SWAN TERMINALS 1st century BC-1st century AD A penannular torc formed from three round-section silver rods, terminals formed as addorsed swan-heads. 160 grams, 19.5cm (8"). Very fine condition. Provenance From a private UK collection; formerly in a Munich collection formed in the 1970s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Footnotes The torc was one of the most defining pieces of Celtic jewellery and was indicative of high status when worn by individuals. They are also frequently depicted around the necks of Celtic divinities. For the Celtic people the torc possibly held intrinsic magical and religious significance. Classical writers mention the Celts wearing torcs and Dio Cassius writes that the Icenian queen Boudicca always wore a torc of twisted gold. Torcs have been found in votive hoards, such as those from Snettisham in Norfolk, whilst others have been found buried with individuals who have been recognised as Celtic royalty, such as the prince buried at Hochdorf, Germany, and the princess from Vix, Burgundy in France. There are many depictions of humans and gods wearing torcs, such as the famous Roman marble statue of the "Dying Gaul," as well as the Gundestrup Cauldron from Denmark which depicts as series of Celtic gods, each wearing a torc. The swan was an important animal in Celtic religion and is seen in the company of the three mother goddesses on a sculpture from Alesia in Burgundy. It also frequently appears in Irish literary sources as a supernatural creature associated with powerful women who shape-change to gain access to the world of the gods through the use of magic.
IRON AGE TWISTED TORC WITH SWAN TERMINALS 1st century BC-1st century AD A penannular torc formed from three round-section silver rods, terminals formed as addorsed swan-heads. 160 grams, 19.5cm (8"). Very fine condition. Provenance From a private UK collection; formerly in a Munich collection formed in the 1970s. Supplied with a positive X-Ray Fluorescence metal analysis certificate. Footnotes The torc was one of the most defining pieces of Celtic jewellery and was indicative of high status when worn by individuals. They are also frequently depicted around the necks of Celtic divinities. For the Celtic people the torc possibly held intrinsic magical and religious significance. Classical writers mention the Celts wearing torcs and Dio Cassius writes that the Icenian queen Boudicca always wore a torc of twisted gold. Torcs have been found in votive hoards, such as those from Snettisham in Norfolk, whilst others have been found buried with individuals who have been recognised as Celtic royalty, such as the prince buried at Hochdorf, Germany, and the princess from Vix, Burgundy in France. There are many depictions of humans and gods wearing torcs, such as the famous Roman marble statue of the "Dying Gaul," as well as the Gundestrup Cauldron from Denmark which depicts as series of Celtic gods, each wearing a torc. The swan was an important animal in Celtic religion and is seen in the company of the three mother goddesses on a sculpture from Alesia in Burgundy. It also frequently appears in Irish literary sources as a supernatural creature associated with powerful women who shape-change to gain access to the world of the gods through the use of magic.
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